What do I actually buy at a Georgia tax sale?

The investor buys a deed to the property, but the former owner keeps a window to redeem and reclaim title.

How long does the owner have to redeem the property in Georgia?

12 months (1 year) from the sale date

What interest or penalty do I earn on a Georgia tax sale?

A redemption premium of 20% applies.

How is the winning bidder chosen in Georgia?

The parcel or lien goes to the highest bidder at auction.

State guidesGA

How to buy tax-sale property in Georgia (2026)

Redeemable deedPremium12 mo redemptionHighest bidMonthly sale

You buy a deed, but the former owner can still redeem the property for a set period. The owner has 1 year from the sale to pay you back. You bid a premium over the amount owed and can earn 20% a year. You win with the highest bid. Sales are held every month.

Redemption period: 12 mo
Interest / penalty: Premium · 20%
Bid method: Highest bid
Sale timing: Monthly

How to bid here · Georgia

In person

1.When a tax execution is levied, the property is advertised and sold in the same manner as provided for executions and judicial sales (48-4-1(a)(1))
2.Sales of property taken under execution are held at the courthouse of the county where the levy was made on the first Tuesday of the month, between 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., at public outcry (9-13-161(a))
3.A sale for taxes due may be conducted by the tax commissioner or tax collector, or a duly authorized officer, either in the tax office or at another location identified in the notice, and the notice is posted in a conspicuous location in the appropriate courthouse (48-4-1(a)(3))
4.The property is sold to the highest bidder; the purchaser may pay by cash, cashier's check, or certified check (9-13-166)
5.The deed or bill of sale made by the sheriff to the purchaser at the tax sale is as valid as if made under an ordinary execution (48-4-6)
6.The defendant in fi. fa. or any person with a right, title, interest, or lien may redeem the property within 12 months from the date of the sale, or later until the right to redeem is foreclosed (48-4-40)

Registration: Required: UnknownUnknown
Not verified from a source yet.
Deposit: Required: UnknownUnknown
Not verified from a source yet.
Forms: Bidder ID card: UnknownW-9: Unknown
Eligibility: Residency required: UnknownNo delinquent taxes: Unknown
Payment: CashCashier's checkCertified check
Not verified from a source yet.
Sources: O.C.G.A. 9-13-161(a)
O.C.G.A. 48-4-1(a)(1)
O.C.G.A. 48-4-1(a)(3)
O.C.G.A. 9-13-166
O.C.G.A. 48-4-6
O.C.G.A. 48-4-40

Georgia sells real property at a public tax sale conducted under a tax execution (a tax deed sale); the sale is held at the courthouse on the first Tuesday of the month between 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., or at the office or other location identified in the notice, and is conducted by the sheriff or by the tax commissioner/collector or a duly authorized officer (9-13-161(a); 48-4-1(a)(1), (a)(3)). State law does not authorize online sales: SB 13 (2023-2024), which would have authorized online public sales and required bidder registration (W-9 plus name, address, and telephone number), did not become law. Bidder registration, deposits, and payment mechanics are not fixed by state statute and are administered locally by the tax commissioner/collector, so they vary by county. The purchaser receives a deed that is subject to a 12-month right of redemption (48-4-6; 48-4-40). Citations are to the text as published by FindLaw (current as of March 28, 2024) because Georgia does not provide a free official per-section code site; the official O.C.G.A. is published by LexisNexis under authority of the state.

Citations

Sale type

O.C.G.A. § 48-4-42 (tax deed); § 48-4-40 (redemption)

official source

“the amount paid for the property at the tax sale, as shown by the recitals in the tax deed”

Redemption

O.C.G.A. § 48-4-40

official source

“At any time within 12 months from the date of the sale”

Interest / penalty

O.C.G.A. § 48-4-42(a)(3)

official source

“A premium of 20 percent of the amount for the first year or fraction of a year”

Bid method

O.C.G.A. § 48-4-1 (tax execution sales as judicial sales); § 9-13-161

official source

“between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., and at public outcry”

Sale schedule

O.C.G.A. § 9-13-161 (via § 48-4-1)

official source

“sales of property taken under execution shall be made by the sheriffs or coroners only at the courthouse of the county where the levy was made on the first Tuesday in each month”

Tax deed sold under a tax execution; 12-month redemption (O.C.G.A. 48-4-40 to -48). Official Georgia Code portal (legis.ga.gov); the Official Code is also published in volumes. | Prose: redeemable deed | 20% premium first year; 10% each year thereafter | 12 months | highest bidder at public outcry | first Tuesday of each month

Frequently asked questions

What do I actually buy at a Georgia tax sale?: The investor buys a deed to the property, but the former owner keeps a window to redeem and reclaim title.
How long does the owner have to redeem the property in Georgia?: 12 months (1 year) from the sale date
What interest or penalty do I earn on a Georgia tax sale?: A redemption premium of 20% applies.
How is the winning bidder chosen in Georgia?: The parcel or lien goes to the highest bidder at auction.

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